Package and method of processing and packaging



Jan. 21, 1964 w. H. ALLEN PACKAGE AND METHOD OF PROCESSING AND PACKAGING2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 24, 1959 INVEN TOR.

W. H. ALLEN Jan. 21, 1964 PACKAGE AND METHOD OF PROCESSING AND PACKAGING2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed D90. 24, 1959 W/LL/AM H ALLE-A/ United StatesPatent 3,118,536 PACKAGE AND NETH'GED 0F YEOCESSING AND PACKAGENGWilliam E. Allen, Hinsdale, Ell, msignor to Joslyn Mfg. and Supply (10.,Chicago, 11L, a corporation of lllineis Filed Dec. 24, 1959, Ser. No.862,444 4 Claims. (Cl. 20665) The present invention relates to a methodof processing and packaging substantially rectangularly-shaped Woodenblocks, such as, for example, blocks of the type commonly used forfactory flooring and the like, and the invention also relates to a newand improved package of such blocks. This application is acontinuation-in-part of my copending application Serial No. 665,500filed, June 13, 1957, now abandoned and which is a continuation of mycopending application Serial No. 483,743, filed January 24, 1955, nowabandoned.

Wooden blocks of this type are generally cut from pine or oak logs onmultiple saws and are treated with a preservative such, for example, ascreosote or pentachlorophenol, so that they are free from attack bytermites, damp rot, and the lik The blocks are then shipped to thelocation at which they are to be assembled into iloors or in manyinstances they are shipped to points of disbursement such as lumberyards where they are stored until required for use. Until recently, allsuch blocks were sold in bulk, i.c., they were sold and delivered inmuch the same manner as is coal or crushed stone. However, for a numberof reasons the trend has ben for more and more users to demand packagedblocks so that at the present time the vast majority of blocks are soldin packaged form.

Various types of packages and methods of packaging have been and are inuse at the present time but for one reason or another these packageshave all proven to be unsatisfactory. For example, one such packagecomprises a fiber or cardboard carton in which the blocks arehand-packed. The cost of such a package is relatively high, the size isnecessarily small because of the low strength of the fiber or cardboard,and when the package is opened the blocks must be handled loosely aswith pitchforks and wheelbarrows, thus resulting in relatively highbreakage. Another prior art form of package comprises burlap bags whichare filled with blocks. Obviously, such a package is only slightlyremoved from bu k or loose blocks and has nearly all of thedisadvantages of loose blocks such, for example as a high percentage ofbreakage, and dificulty of handling with the resulting high cost.

Since the type of wooden block with which the present invention isprimaraily concerned is a relatively low cost item, from a standpoint ofeconomy it is usually desirable to store these blocks outside. Undersuch circumstances it is important that the blocks be protected from theelements since they tend to absorb water and swell up. If laid in afloor while in this enlarged state, when they dry out and shrink, theblocks in the floor will be quite loose.

Another disadvantage of the above methods of packaging is that inaccordance with these prior art techniques the blocks are first cut andthen subjected to a chemical treatment with a preservative before beingplaced in the shipping containers. This technique has a great many3,ll%,53 Patented Earn. 21, 1%64 ice drawbacks of which the principalones are that the blocks are individually handled during the treatingprocess and are usually packaged in the containers while they are stillsticky, thus making the handling thereof both difficult and expensive.

An object of the present invention is, therefore, to provide a new andimproved method of processing and packaging wooden blocks of t e generaltype heretofore described.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improvedpackage for wooden blocks.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improvedmethod of packaging blocks such that large numbers of these blocks maybe provided in a single package which may easily be handled withoutdamage thereto.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved method of packaging and processing wooden blocks of the typedescribed whereby both the processing and packaging operations are sorelated as to be each performed at a minimum cost to effect a finalpackage which is free from the above-described disadvantages of thepackages of the prior art.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved method of packaging wooden blocks in order to produce a packagewhich contains a large number of blocks and yet which is readilymaneuverable and easily transportable.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved package of wooden blocks of the type described which may bestored outside for long periods of time without incurring damage to theblocks.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide animproved method of packaging which is relatively inexpensive and yetresults in the production of a package which is sturdier than any knownin the prior art.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent as the following description proceeds, and the features ofnovelty w 'ch characterize the invention will be pointed out withparticularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of thisspecification.

Briefly, in accordance with the present invention, after being cut onmultiple saws the rectangular wooden blocks are baled end grain to endgrain into a plurality of subunits which in turn are baled onto aslidable skid. The bale of subunits is then treated with a chemicalpreservative, and finally, where necessary, a cover material is placedover the bale of blocks and secured thereto to complete the package.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the faces of the blocksare embossed in a linear pattern designed to give access of the chemicalpreservative solution to adjacent faces of the blocks as they occur inthe package.

For a better understanding of the present invention reference may be hadto the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a single wooden block of the type withwhich the method of processing and packaging of the present inventionfinds particular application;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a single subunit comprising a pluralityof the blocks of FIG. 1 baled together;

FIG. 3 is a perspective View of a package in which a multiplicity of thesubunits of FIG. 2 are baled together and to a support skid;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the completed package of the processedblocks;

PEG. 5 is a perspective view of a modified form of wooden blocks withwhich the method of processing and packaging of the present inventionfinds particular application;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another modified form of wooden blockswith which the method of processing packs. ing of the present inventionfinds particular application; and

FlG. 7 is a partial perspective view of a single subunit comprising aplurality of the blocks of FIG. 5 baled together.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. there is shown agenerally rectangular block 19, conucted of wood and particularlyadapted for use as lctory flooring and the like. A plurality of theblocks ti may conveniently be cut from larger pieces of lumber, such aslogs, on multiple saws so that a large number of these blocks may be cutin a minimum amount of time and with relatively few operations and,consequently, the blocks can be produced at a minimum cost. It will beunderstood, however, that the blocks 10 may be cut or formed in anyother desired manner and may, in fact, be constructed of materials otherthan wood if desired.

Referring particularly to PEG. 2, a plurality of the blocks 1%, namely,twenty-two, are contiguously arranged, as shown, two adjacent rows withthe end grain of adjacent b cks in mutual abutment and secured togetherby a baling strip of flexible material 1.2 to form a subunit 13. it hasbeen found that by providin two rows in each subunit rather than one orthree or more, the degree of tightness of the strip 12 required toprevent disassembly of th subunits during shipment does not result indamage to the end blocks in each subunit and, further more, thatdisassembly of the subunits when the blocks are to be used may bereadily accomplished without cutting the strip 12. The strip 12 mayconveniently be wire, cord, metal strapping, etc. In the illustratedembodiment of the invention, baling wire is employed, with the endsthereof being attached together as indicated at 14 by twisting. Whereas,a single length of strip 12 is shown in FIG. 2, additional pieces may beemployed where necessary to hold the blocks 1% together in a subunit. Ithas been found, however, that a single strand of balingwire suitablywrapped once around the subunit l3 and twisted together at its ends inthe manner shown in FIG. 2 is suflicient to maintain the subunit 13intact without requiring the baling wire 12 to be taut.

Referring to FIG. 3, wherein there is shown a plurality of subunits '13stacked on a skid 16, the skid 16 includes a flat support member 18includ ng a plurality of boards 29 arranged in parallel relationship andsecured to a set of parallel runners 22, 24 and 26. The runners thusfacilitate sliding or skidding of the package of blocks along the groundor other surface, assist in maintaining the support member 713 in place,and maintain the support member 13 above five inches off the ground soas to enable handling 1" Le package by means of the conventional forktype lift trucks (not shown).

The subunits 13 are baled to one another and to the skid in by means ofa plurality of flexible metallic bands 23, whi h are wrapped over thesubunits, under the boards 29, and have t eir ends secured together byany suitable means such, for example, as by stapling. As best shown inFIG. 3, the subunits 13 are so disposed on 16 that the vertical planesdefined by the bal- 12 are all parallel and in addition the straps 23are perpendicular to the adjacent baling strips 12 of the subunits 13which are disposed at the upper our corners of the overall package.There is thus provided a 4 package of the blocks ll? which may bereadily transported with standard equipment without danger of break-Whereas, flexible metallic straps may conveniently be employed to securethe subunits 13 to the skid 15, the bands 28 may be constructed of othermaterials such, for example, as baling wire, cord, rope, and toe like.

After the subunits 13 of the blocks 19 have been baled to the skid 16,the entire unit is chemically treated with a preservative as by movingthe package into a suitable treating area where it may be subjected to apressurized treatment with a liquid preservative. Because certaincommonly used types of preservatives such, for example, as creosote, atfirst leave the blocks somewhat sticky, it is especially desirable thatthey need not be manually handled until they have dried. It will thus beappreciated that an important feature of the invention is that theblocks it are partially packaged prior to the chemical treatment thereofand need not be individually or manually handled thereafter since theblocks 16 may be facilely transported while still wet and sticky bymeans of conventional lift trucks which have fork-lifting portions forinsertion beneath the support surface 18 of the skid 26 for the liftingand subsequent transporting of the blocks 1.3.

Preferably, the individual blocks are arranged so that the end gransurfaces thereof lie in vertical planes and the baling strips 1?. arealso disposed in vertical planes whereby the blocks in adjacent subunitsare spaced apart by at least a predetermined distance by the strips 1This space between the subunits as well as the channels which aredefined by the adjacent beveled corners of the blocks provides asufficient number of transverse passageways through the unit to insuresatisfactory distribution through the unit of the preservative duringthe chemical treating process.

In order to protect the blocks ltl from the elements and also tomaintain the package intact during transit, a flexible cover 39,conveniently formed of 21 treated paper material, is wrapped over thestack of blocks. As shown, the cover 3% may conveniently be attached tothe bale of subunits by one or more flexible metal straps S2 and aplurality of staples 3d. The cover 3%) is thus securely held in placewhereby the package may be stored outside in inclement weather withoutdamage to the blocks It) or to the package. Moreover, the individualblocks can-. not creep out of the package as a result of vibration ofthe package during transit. Although flexible metal straps and staplesmay conveniently be employed in attaching the cover 3t to the package,other means, such, for example, as adhesive tape, string, cord, etc. maysuitably used. However, because of the rough handling to which suchpackages are subjected, a metallic band appears to be the most desirableway to hold the cover 36 on the package of blocks.

It has further been found desirable to wrap the cover 3i over the stackof blocks so that the runners 22, 24 and 26 of the skid 16 are leftexposed. In this way the cover 36) is not readily torn or otherwisescarred during handling and transporting of the package by means offorked lift trucks and the like.

Although the chemical treatment of the blocks 19 has been described asbeing done after the subunits 13 are baled to the skid to, it will beunderstood that this is by way of explanation and not by Way oflimitation, since the treating operation may he performed after theblocks it) have been baled into the subunits 13 prior to their beingbaled onto the skid 15, or it may be performed before the blocks 1% arebaled into the subunits 13, or even before the blocks ll) have been cut.However, it has been found that it is most expedient to chemically treatthe blocks ll) after they have been baled into the subunits 13 andsecured to the skid 16.

Also, While a cover 30 has been employed to protect the package of theblocks Ill from the Weather, etc., it will be understood that forcertain applications a cover is unnecessary, and in such instances itmay be left off the package of the present invention. For example, wherethe blocks are to be used a short time after cutting, and ample,relatively dust-free space is available for the drying of the blocksafter the treatment thereof, it may be expedient to dispense with thecover 39. Generally, however, the blocks are not to be used a short timeafter packaging, but must be shipped great distances and usually storedfor long periods of time. In such cases, the use of a cover 39 is mostdesirable, if not altogether necessary. It will also be appreciated, asindicated above, that the cover gives additional structural support tothe package in addition to protecting the blocks in from the elements,and, as a result, the rough handling to which the package of blocks islikely to be subjected should be considered before a final decision isreached with respect to elimination of the cover 30.

Modified forms of wooden blocks which have been found to give goodaccess of presenvative solution to the adjacent faces of the blocks asthey occur in the package are illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. Referringspecifically to FIG. 5, a block 40 having a pair of end faces orendgrained faces 41 and a plurality of side faces 42, 43 has a pluralityof beveled portions or V-sha-ped grooves 44 formed or embossed in theend faces 41 by means of a press or embossing rolls. The end faces 41may be embossed after the blocks 40 have been cut or formed and beforethe blocks are secured together to form a subunit. As shown, the grooves44 are arranged in a linear pattern designed to give access ofpreservative to the end faces 41 when the blocks 40 are secured in asubunit. The blocks 40 may also contain one or more grooves embossed inthe side faces, for example, a plurality of V- shaped grooves 45 in theside faces 42 and 43 of block 49. If desired, the end faces 41 of theblock 49 may contain a. design 46 to identify the block with themanufacturer thereof. The design 46 may conveniently be embossedsimultaneously with the embossing of the grooves 44 in the end faces 41.

Another modified form of block is illustrated in FIG. 6. A block St) hasa pair of end faces 51 and a plurality of side faces 52, 52a and 53,53a. Each end face 51 is provided with a plurality of V-shaped grooves54 embossed therein and two of the side faces 52 and 53 contain W-shapeddesigns 55 embossed or rolled therein; each W-shaped design includes apair of V-shaped grooves 56 and 57 joined by an elevated knife edge 58raised above the surface of the respective sides 52 and 53 by theembossing process.

A subunit of the blocks 46 is illustrated in FIG. 7. A plurality ofblocks 40, such as twenty-two, are contiguously arranged in two adjacentrows with the end grained faces 41 of adjacent blocks in mutual abutmentand secured together by a baling strip of flexible material 6% to form asubunit 61. The aligned V-shaped grooves 44 in the end faces 41 form aplurality of passages through the subunit 61 which provide access ofpreservative solution to the adjacent end faces of the blocks in thesubunit 61 or the package and provide favorable effect on the treatmentof the blocks during the treating operation.

Although the many advantages of the present invention will be apparentto those skilled in the art, some of the more important ones will becomeapparent from a consideration of the manner in which the package isshipped and used in the laying of a floor. After the package has beencompleted in the manner described above, it and a number of similarpackages will be placed in boxcars for shipment to lumber yards or totheir points of final destination. These packages are, of course,ordinarily handled by conventional lift trucks and may be stacked oneupon the other in tiers in the freight cars. Obviously, the use ofmechanized transportation equipment such as fork lift trucks greatlyreduces the cost of loading the packages in the boxcars as well asunloading the packages when the cars reach their final destination. Whenthe packages of blocks have been transported to their place ofdestination, inasmuch as the relative cost of the blocks as compared toother equipment and materials present at that location is usually verylow, the blocks are frequently stored in the open but because of thecover material thereon, the blocks are fully protected from theelements. Moreover, since the flat portion of the skid 16, as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, comprises a plurality of spaced apart boards 20, and thespaces between the boards 21} are not covered by the cover 30, theblocks in the completed package are vented to the atmosphere so that anymoisture which may get into the unit is evaporated when the humidity ofthe atmosphere decreases.

In using the blocks in the laying of a floor, the packages aretransported by fork lift trucks to the laying area and the outer bales28 are open and the individual subunits are then placed on hand trucksand distributed throughout the laying area. Because the exact number ofblocks and subunits are known, rapid and accurate distribution of theblocks may be effected, thereby reducing the cost of laying the floor.Moreover, because the blocks are handled in groups, the speed ofhandling is increased and, more importantly, they are not damaged as isthe case when the blocks must be handled loosely and transported inwheelbarrows. Because of the manner in which the blocks are arranged insubunits, i.e., a single baling strip being used to hold them in place,the baling strip 12 need not be broken in order to remove the blocksfrom the subunits since it has been found that by merely grasping thebaling strip on opposite sides thereof the blocks can be readily shakenloose by' a single snap of the subunit. Because the blocks may beequally distributed in a laying area, the speed with which they can beassembled into a floor is, of course, increased, thus lowering theoverall cost of the floor. Therefore, it may be seen that the package ofthe present invention provides a new method and means of handling thetype of blocks which are used for factory flooring and the like.

While a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown, it willbe understood, of course, that the invention is not limited thereto,since many modifications may be made, for example, blocks containingboth grooves and beveled edges may be employed to provide the desiredpenetration of the preservative into the subunit or package. It is,therefore, contemplated by the appended claims to cover any suchmodifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent ofthe United States is:

l. A package of rectangular wooden blocks of the type used for factoryflooring and the like, said package comprising a support skid, aplurality of rectangular subunits of said blocks arranged in arectangular solid on said skid, each of said subunits comprising aplurality of said blocks disposed end grain to end grain and baledtogether to provide a plurality of relatively small passages at theinterfaces of adjacent blocks, said blocks having beveled portionsinterconnecting surfaces other than end grain surfaces to provide whenthe blocks are assembled a plurality of continuous passageways extendingbetween opposite sides of the rectangular solid, and means for balingsaid plurality of subunits to said skid.

2. A package of rectangular wooden blocks as set forth in claim 1 abovewherein said beveled portions comprise bevels on interconnectingsurfaces other than the end grain surfaces.

3. A package of rectangular wooden blocks as set forth in claim 1 abovewherein said beveled portions comprise grooves linearly arranged onsurfaces other than the end grain surfaces.

4. A package of untreated rectangular wooden blocks of the type used forfactory flooring and the like, said package comprising a support skid, aplurality of rectangular subunits of said blocks arranged in arectangular solid on said skid, each of said subunits comprising aplurality of said blocks disposed end grain to end grain and baledtogether to provide a plurality of small passages at the interfaces ofadjacent blocks, said blocks having beveled portions interconnectingsurfaces other than end grain surfaces to provide when the blocks areassembled a plurality of continuous passageways extending betweenopposite sides of the rectangular solid, and means for baling saidplurality of subunits to said skid.

Referenees Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSAndrews Aug. 6, 895 Weiss Aug. 6, 1946 Rownd Mar. 13, 1951 Reed Mar. 3,1953 Taylor et al Ian. 22, 1957

1. A PACKAGE OF RECTANGULAR WOODEN BLOCKS OF THE TYPE USED FOR FACTORYFLOORING AND THE LIKE, SAID PACKAGE COMPRISING A SUPPORT SKID, APLURALITY OF RECTANGULAR SUBUNITS OF SAID BLOCKS ARRANGED IN ARECTANGULAR SOLID ON SAID SKID, EACH OF SAID SUBUNITS COMPRISING APLURALITY OF SAID BLOCKS DISPOSED END GRAIN TO END GRAIN AND BALEDTOGETHER TO PROVIDE A PLURALITY OF RELATIVELY SMALL PASSAGES AT THEINTERFACES OF ADJACENT BLOCKS, SAID BLOCKS HAVING BEVELED PORTIONSINTERCONNECTING SURFACES OTHER THAN END GRAIN SURFACES TO PROVIDE WHENTHE BLOCKS ARE ASSEMBLED A PLURALITY OF CONTINUOUS PASSAGEWAYS EXTENDINGBETWEEN OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE RECTANGULAR SOLID, AND MEANS FOR BALINGSAID PLURALITY OF SUBUNITS TO SAID SKID.